Calibrachoa plant named ‘DANOA53’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Calibrachoa  sp. plant named ‘DANOA53’ characterized by having flowers that are mainly white, with pink veins, measuring about 2 to 3 cm in size, measuring about 2 to 3 cm in size; mounded growth habit; medium floriferous flowering habit with a long blooming season; and suitable for patios and outdoors plant beddings.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Calibrachoa sp.

Variety denomination: ‘DANOA53’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp., and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DANOA53’.

Background Description of the Genus Calibrachoa

The genus Petunia was originally established in 1803 by A.L. Jussieu, who described both P. parviflora and P. nyctaginiflora as type species. Using a non-horticultural system that selected the first mentioned species as the type species (lectotype), N.L. Britton and H.A. Brown declared P. parviflora as the type species for Petunia in 1913.

During the 1980's and 1990's, H.J. Wijsman published a series of articles regarding the ancestry of P. hybrida, the Garden Petunia, and the inter-relationship of several species classified as Petunia. These studies discovered that P. hybrida and its ancestral species, P. nyctaginiflora (=P. axillaris) and P. violacea (=P. integrifolia), possessed 14 pairs of chromosomes while several other species, including P. parviflora, possessed 18 pairs of chromosomes. Since P. parviflora was the lectotype species for the Petunia genus, Wijsman and J.H. de Jong proposed transferring the 14 chromosome species to the genus Stimoryne. Horticulturists opposed reclassifying the Garden Petunia and in 1986, Wijsman proposed the alternative of making P. nyctaginiflora the lecototype species for Petunia and transferring the 18 chromosome species to another genus. The I.N.G. Committee adopted this proposal. By 1990 Wijsman had transferred several species, including P. parviflora (=C. parviflora) to Calibrachoa, originally established by Llave and Lexarza in 1825. Calibrachoa parviflora (=C. mexicana Llave & Lexarza) is now the type species for the genus Calibrachoa.

Classification of the current Petunia and Calibrachoa species is still in progress. New species are also being identified. Consequently a proper description has not been written for the Calibrachoa genus. Calibrachoa can, however, be distinguished from Petunia based on the higher chromosome number, chromosome morphology, plant branching habit and type of flower bud aestivation. Whereas Petunia species bear a flower peduncle and one new stem from a node, Calibrachoa bear a flower peduncle and three stems. Petunia species have a cochlear corolla bud, and a single outermost petal covers the other four, radially folded and terminally contorted petals. Calibrachoa flower buds are flat with all five petals linearly folded and the two lower petals forming a cover around the three other petals and fused together.

Breeding and Selection of New Cultivar

The new Calibrachoa cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Calibrachoa cultivar having attractive flower colors, a desirable plant habit, and a strong, vigorous growth habit.

The new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2006 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The female or seed parent is the Calibrachoa designated ‘CA-1508’ (unpatented) and the male or pollen parent is the Calibrachoa designated ‘CA-1006’ (unpatented). The new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in March of 2008 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed in April of 2008 in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DANOA53’ which in combination distinguish this Calibrachoa as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Flowers that are mainly white, with pink veins, measuring         about 2 to 3 cm in size;     -   2. Mounded growth habit;     -   3. Medium floriferous flowering habit with a long blooming         season; and     -   4. Suitable for patios and outdoors plant beddings.

Plants of the new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ differ from plants of the parents, Calibrachoa ‘CA-1508’ (unpatented) and Calibrachoa ‘CA-1006’ (unpatented), in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘CA-1508’ ‘CA-1006’ Characteristic ‘DANOA53’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Branching Rate Medium Low Medium Flower Color White, RHS 155D, Red-purple, White, with pink veins, RHS N74C RHS N999D closest to red- (mini color purple, RHS 73A chart) Flower Diameter About 2 to 3 cm About 2.5 cm About 2.5 cm

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ is Calibrachoa sp. ‘DANOA36’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,459), in the characteristics described in Table 2:

Comparison Cultivar ‘DANOA36’ New Cultivar (patented, U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘DANOA49’ Pat. No. 19,459) Branching Rate Medium High Flower Color White, RHS 155D, with pink veins, Yellow-orange, RHS 16C, closest to red-purple, with red halo RHS 73A Flower Diameter About 2 to 3 cm About 2 to 2.5 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Calibrachoa cultivar ‘DANOA53’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DANOA53’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective a typical flowering plant of ‘DANOA53’ in a hanging planter, at 2 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flowers and leaves of ‘DANOA53’, at 2months of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Calibrachoa ‘DANOA53’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of the new cultivar ‘DANOA53’ as grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

Plants of ‘DANOA53’ are grown outdoors in moderate climate and grown indoors during the winter. Irrigation and fertilization are needed on a regular basis. For optimal growth, grow plants of ‘DANOA53’ in full sunlight. Plants of ‘DANOA53’ are fully grown plant in 3 months when grown in full sunlight, and bloom all year-round in a moderate climate. ‘DANOA53’ is used as suitable for patios and outdoors plant beddings.

Color references are made to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately 12:00 noon in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The age of the plant described is 2 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Calibrachoa sp.         -   Commercial name.—Noa Almond Blossom. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Calibrachoa sp. designated ‘CA-1508’             (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Calibrachoa sp. designated ‘CA-1006’             (unpatented). -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.         -   Temperature.—Day: 20° C. to 35° C. Night: 17° C. to 23° C.         -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm             Nitrogen.         -   Growth regulators.—None. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Cutting of side shoots.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Easy to root; root from             cutting base.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 7 to 10 days at 25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 16 days at 25° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Height: About 25 cm. Spread:             About 50 cm.         -   Growth rate and habit.—Compact.         -   Branching habit and description.—Medium branching rate. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 15 to 20.         -   Length.—About 15 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 139A.         -   Internode length.—About 2 cm.         -   Internode color.—Green, RHS 139A.         -   Average number of flowers per lateral branch.—About 6. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Length.—About 2 cm.         -   Width.—About 1 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Upper: Pubescent. Under: Pubescent.         -   Color of upper surface.—Mature leaf: Green, RHS 139A.             Immature leaf: Green, RHS 139A.         -   Color of under surface.—Mature leaf: Green, RHS 139A.             Immature leaf: Green, RHS 139A.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Green, RHS             139A. Under surface: Green, RHS 139A.         -   Petiole.—None. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Single, horizontal facing salverform             flowers. Flowers persistent and not fragrant.         -   Flowering season.—All year round in moderate climate.         -   Flowering response.—Fully grown plant in 3 months.         -   Winter hardiness.—Frost tender. Temperature below 5° C. may             damage plants.         -   Lastingness of the individual bloom.—About 3 to 6 days.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—Rate of opening: About 1 to 3 days, according to             weather. Length: The young bud is about 1 cm, and it             lengthens to about 1.5 cm before opening. Diameter: About             0.5 cm. Shape: Tubular. Immature Color: Green-yellow, RHS             1C. Mature Color: Green-yellow, RHS 1C.         -   Corolla.—Arrangement and appearance: Five petals, fused into             flared trumpet.         -   Flower size.—Flower Depth: About 1.5 cm. Flower Diameter:             About 3.0 cm. Flower Tube Length: About 1.0 cm. Flower Tube             Diameter: About 1.0 cm.         -   Petals.—Petal Number: 5. Petal size: Length: About 0.8 cm to             1.3 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm to 1.8 cm. Petal Shape: Overall:             Obcordate. Apex shape: Blunt. Base shape: Fused. Margin:             Entire. Texture: Smooth. Petal Color: When opening: Upper             surface: White, RHS 155D, with pink veins, closest to             red-purple, RHS 73A. Under surface: White, RHS 155D, with             pink veins, closest to red-purple, RHS 73A. When fully             opened: Upper surface: White, RHS 155D, with pink veins,             closest to red-purple, RHS 73A. Under surface: White, RHS             155D, with pink veins, closest to red-purple, RHS 73A.             Flower throat color (inside): Yellow, RHS 2A. Flower tube             color (outside): Green-yellow, RHS 1B.         -   Sepals.—Arrangement and appearance: Single whorl of five             sepals, fused at base. Sepal Number: 5. Sepal size: Length:             About 1.5 cm. Width: About 0.3 cm. Sepal Shape: Overall:             Elliptic. Apex shape: Truncate. Base shape: Fused. Margin:             Entire. Texture: Lustrous. Sepal Color: Upper surface Green,             RHS 143A. Under surface: Green, RHS 143B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 0.1 cm. Angle:             About 45° from stem axis. Strength: Flexible. Texture:             Smooth. Color: Green, RHS 143B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 5. Color: Yellow, RHS 2A.             Anther: Shape: Round. Length: About 0.1 mm. Color: Yellow,             RHS 2A. Filaments: Length: About 0.6 mm. Color: Yellow, RHS             2A. Pollen: Amount: Plenty. Color: Yellow, RHS 2A.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Quantity: 1. Length: About 0.7 mm.             Stigma: Shape: Round. Width: About 0.1 mm. Color: Green, RHS             143A. Style: Length: About 0.7 mm. Color: Green, RHS 143A.             Ovary: Position: Superior. Length: About 0.2 mm. Width:             About 0.1 mm. Color: Green, RHS 143A. -   Seeds:     -   -   Quantity.—About 5 to 10.         -   Length.—About 0.1 mm.         -   Width.—About 0.1 mm.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Black, RHS 202A. -   Fruit:     -   -   Quantity.—Few, when naturally pollinated.         -   Type.—Capsule.         -   Length.—About 0.4 mm.         -   Width.—About 0.3 mm.         -   Shape.—Ovoid.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Green, RHS 139A. -   Disease/pest resistance: No information is currently available. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: No information is currently available. -   Low temperature tolerance: Sensitive to temperatures below 4° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa sp. plant named ‘DANOA53’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 